Wrongful Termination - plz send good thoughts and prayers
 

Yesterday, a good friend and coworker of mine (we'll call him John Doe) was fired on the spot and I feel responsible and awful about it. I always thought we had a wonderful and comfortable work environment. Everyone got along great and we were always joking around having good times with one another. Recently a new employee came in (Jane Doe) for training, then one day we found out she'd be replacing our manager... that was just the beginning. I'm noticing this company has a high turnover rate - seems like if someone has a certain amount of pay increase or bonuses they soon get replaced with a person on entry level pay.

Anyway, yesterday John, Jane, and I were joking about a smell in the bathroom. Everyone laughed and made silly comments so we all thought we were on the same page - it's a joke. That night John was accused by Jane in a meeting with the General Manager for smoking drugs in the bathroom and fired on the spot. We all know he is THE BEST employee we have and he would never in his life do such a thing. I called the GM directly on her cell to say I was there and nothing at all like that happened. She went on about how I didn't have to be scared to tell the truth and should just be honest with her, which I did and repeated the whole truth. To that she said "ok thanks bye" and hung up on me. Other employees and managers proceeded to speak with the GM and were treated in the same manner.

So now in this time of economic disaster, and on Christmas Eve no less, a good friend of mine is out of a job and doesn't know how he's going to pay his rent in February... I was the only 3rd party involved in the actual "joking" situation and feel completely responsible. New manager Jane seemed to be getting along with us just fine, but I think she was just waiting for something to happen to get another firing in... and I feel like I gave her that.

If you're thinking none of this even sounds legal, it's probably not, but John doesn't have the fiscal means to get legal council. I'm completely uncomfortable working under these 2 crazy managers that are firing people left and right based on false accusations. I wish I could just walk out on them based on principle but they'd be unaffected and could replace me in a heartbeat. I couldn't replace my job so fast, if at all.

So, sorry about my long rant but thank you for reading. Please send good thoughts and prayers for 'John'... in the mean time my coworkers and I are going to try everything we can to "fix" the situation, but I feel it will fall on deaf ears.

that is horrendous. What a jerk of a woman. You aren't responsible, so don't feel guilty. You were just joking around. Everyone does it. 'John' will have prayers coming in this scary financial time. I hope that 'Jane' can figure out her own issues and correct the situation.

You're not responsible! The thing is, if the GM thought he was doing this, maybe she should have made him go and take a drug test! I would go after the company, as he was fired for an unjust reason

Walk the line with them and look for a new job ASAP. The company is probably hurting, they don't want to do a layoff and scare people so they are systematically picking them off to save face with the company as a whole. Im sorry about your friend, I hope he can find something new quickly and better! Tell him not to use them as a reference.

Ditto! That was just the meanest thing she could have done, her timing made it even worse.:thumbdown

That's terrible. He should talk to a legal aid organization that gives free or low cost legal advice. He may want to get a drug test for proof for any legal dealings. I too was a victim of a horrid new boss and was called in one day after 33 years with the company and let go. I was in a Director position nd the company was getting rid of us older higher paid employess. They gave me a severence package that required me to sign stating I wouldn't/couldn't sue for any form of discrimination. So they had us there. I hope your friend can fight this. He should also apply today for unemployment benefits as there is usually a waiting period that can start today. I will keep him in my prayers. It is terrible what is happening to americans and their jobs !

In california there is the dept of housing and labor. They represent people at NO cost regardless of your financial situation. If you had a million dollars, they would still represent you for free because they are inforcing labor laws. Find out if there is something like that in your state. They are very powerful here in California.